“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”

We, here at The Street Trust, tend to agree with Susan B. Anthony and are committed to continuing and supporting the legacy of women-identified cyclists.

The Women Bike program was started by The Street Trust, formerly known as the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, to encourage and inspire women-identified people of all ages and abilities to incorporate more bicycling into their everyday lives. Whether it be for transportation, health, fun, or all of the above, the program designs a variety of rides, workshops, and events to familiarize women with cycling in the Portland Metro region. This year, Women Bike led rides at Sunday Parkways events to encourage more women to ride throughout the summer. The group bike rides range from easy jaunts around town, such as the monthly art ride, to longer trips exploring new paths, trails, and towns.

If you are interested in joining a Women Bike ride event, there are frequent social meetups and at least one ride every month, depending on the weather. During the winter months the group holds indoor events or rides to warm, dry destinations. On November 7, Women Bike will partner with the Bike Farm to hold a basic bike maintenance workshop where participants can get hands-on experience changing tires, patching tubes, and addressing questions about their specific bikes and needs. On Friday November 10th, we are facilitating a ride that will conclude at Triangle Productions where riders can enjoy SPIN, Evalyn Parry's spoken word/music and theater piece about 150 years of links between feminism and bicycling.  Every third Wednesday, Women Bike holds a morning coffee club in rotating neighborhoods, so riders commuting from different areas can stop for coffee and camaraderie before starting their day. Similarly, casual happy hours are held at rotating watering holes every fourth Thursday, where riders can stop and decompress from the work day over a beverage with other women in the cycling community.

For more information on the Women Bike program, we invite you to join the Facebook group here, or to check out The Street Trust's events calendar here for upcoming Women Bike events. You can also subscribe to the Women Bike newsletter here to get updates on upcoming rides, workshops, and meetups.

Alexa H. Jakusovszky

The Street Trust (formerly Bicycle Transportation Alliance)